Multimedia training system and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A training system that provides web-based distribution, centralized control of pedagogy consistency and content customization, and efficient and economical resource utilization via group oriented training in which a plurality of trainees can be trained without the overhead of providing each trainee with an individual PC. Because the proven education delivery method includes entertaining situational modeling videos, game playing, and a high degree of interactivity, it assures high trainee comprehension with a minimum investment in hardware and instructor overhead.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent claims priority from and incorporates by reference theprovisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/564,788, filed Apr. 23,2004.This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,498,567, formerlypatent application Ser. No. 11/112,920, filed Apr. 22, 2005, and issuedon Jul. 30, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/564,788, filed Apr. 23, 2004, both of whichapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of training, such as trainingfor members of an organization, more particularly to the field ofcorporate training of employees and contract workers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Griffin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,120) entered the field with a computerizedtest-taking and balloting system comprised of several keypads that arehardwired from students' desks to a classroom router. The system may beemployed in several classrooms, in which case the test results orballots accumulated in each classroom router are sent to a centralserver. Using their individual keypads, students may enter test answersto be scored or ballots to be counted, but Griffin's system is notinteractive, and cannot function as a training tool except to the extentto which training results can be measured using the standard classroomlecture and exam format. Furthermore, in his means plus functionmethodology, neither Griffin's claims or disclosure encompass any formof wireless operation.

Houlihan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,713 B1) recognized the importance ofinteractive corporate training. In Houlihan's claimed system, eachstudent participates with an individual workstation, defined inHoulihan's Description as including a communications bus, a processor,and dynamic storage media. The student workstation of Houlihan'spreferred embodiment even features 64 MB of main memory.

Most training videos and lecture-based training systems currently beingused are less affordable than they could be, partially because of theinvestment required for multiple trainee workstations. More importantly,currently used training systems are less successful than desirablebecause they are dry, one-dimensional, and unable to maintain userinterest for periods of time long enough to convey the desired messages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Standard Industry Skills Training and Educational Media (SISTEM™)and the hardware and software required for its implementation willherein be referred to as “the present invention.” Herein, “PC” will meana workstation, laptop, or any other small to mid-range computer as iscommonly understood. Wireless peripheral hardware components such asInfra-Red (IR) or Radio Frequency (RF) response pads, keypads, andremote control devices will herein be referred to as “clickers.”

SISTEM is a training system that adds an interactive and entertainingalternative to the available state-of-the-art computer-based trainingmethodologies and technologies. SISTEM is designed to minimize the timeand cost associated with the typical delivery of training sessions. TheSISTEM structure is ideal for dynamic maintenance of up-to-date contentand docketing of training requirements, schedules, and certifications ofcompletion. SISTEM provides a complete remote training management andtraining delivery system for an individual trainee and for a group oftrainees simultaneously interacting with a single workstation or PC.Furthermore, the interactions with each group of trainees occurthroughout each training session, rather than just during apost-training test.

SISTEM is a computer-based training system for which no computerknowledge or prerequisite training is required for successfulparticipation. SISTEM makes possible the delivery of interactivetraining to, the recordation of comprehension by, and the acquisition ofskills by, language-challenged and under-educated workers. Traininggroups of such workers requires a different type of pedagogy than thatutilized in the education of individuals who already possess goodlanguage and learning skills. It is commonplace for teachers andsupervisors to believe that under-educated, language-challenged traineeshave comprehended lessons that in reality were not fully understood.Thus, text-based teaching applications often do not work. This problemis particularly acute for those for whom English is a secondarylanguage. Many such trainees are embarrassed, afraid, or unable tocommunicate in a timely manner that a lesson has not been comprehended.SISTEM is particularly designed to enhance the comprehension ofunder-educated and language-challenged trainees. Therefore, training andre-training time is decreased, and productivity is enhanced.

The present invention combines modern hardware and software technologyand innovative teaching methods into a means by which employers canseamlessly weave training sessions into literally any kind of workingenvironment, from the classroom to the shop floor or assembly line.Student session registration, class activity, and the comprehension ofthe SISTEM competency-based training material are all recorded throughthe use of clickers, one of which is issued to each trainee at the timeof training. Student responses are recorded in real time for processingand feedback. Training overhead is reduced by the consistency andcentralization of training management and record-keeping.

SISTEM training can be site-based or web-based, depending on subscribersize, investment, and preference. Herein, e-learning will refer to bothsite-based and web-based learning and training. Being site-based orweb-based, SISTEM can be readily adapted to a wide variety of trainingenvironments. The web-based version of SISTEM consists of a smallclient-side application that resides on a local PC disk drive andmanages the collection of student responses and their transmission to ahosted web server central processing unit (CPU). The server distributestraining content for web-based SISTEM, and acts as a database fortrainee information.

The site-based version of SISTEM is available through the use of anappliance that attaches to the USB port of a PC. The appliance containsthe SISTEM software, and also has either an integrated IR receiver or anintegrated RF transmitter/receiver. The system allows individualtrainees or groups of trainees to be interactively registered, trained,and tested using IR or RF clickers and a single PC connected to theInternet. The security of all sensitive data in SISTEM is protected atall stages of collection, transmission, and storage. Security isaddressed through industry accepted practices. Sensitive personalinformation is stored in an encrypted data format and transmittedthrough secure data tunnels.

The SISTEM philosophy of pedagogy is primarily based on research thatshows (1) trainees learn and retain information better when there is astory or significant visual metaphor to attract and hold theirattention; (2) the optimal attention span for under-educated trainees isapproximately ten minutes; (3) trainee involvement and interactivitythroughout a training session increases retention and participation; (4)group activities increase retention and team building; and (5) workplacetraining is more effective if the training is directly related toworkplace experiences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and operation of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentand upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which like detailsare labeled with like identification numbers throughout.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the SISTEM pedagogy and overall schema.

FIG. 2 illustrates the SISTEM data flow.

FIG. 3 illustrates three hardware configuration options for deployingSISTEM.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

SISTEM is supported on any network-enabled PC platform, and is adaptableto a variety of video projectors and screen sizes. Currently supportedoperating systems include Windows XP and Windows 200x. Trainee classsize is limited only by the capacity of the IR receivers, which isapproximately 70 clickers, or the capacity of the RF receivers, which iscurrently several hundred clickers.

Each time a trainee pushes a clicker button, a “vote” is cast. BecauseIR communication is currently unidirectional, a vote can produce threepossible scenarios: (1) If two votes are cast at the exact same time, novote is counted. (2) If two votes are cast in very close succession, itis possible for the vote to become corrupted due to IR interference. (3)The vote is successful. SISTEM software detects and discards allcorrupted votes and answers.

The RF clicker offers a bi-directional communication path and buffersthat are polled by the SISTEM software to collect votes and answers. TheRF solution eliminates lost or corrupted votes and answers, and alsosupports up to several hundred concurrent trainees. Also, there are RFclickers available that feature a light under each button. The lightsglow individually to provide feedback to a trainee that the signaltransmitted by a button has been received.

The web-based version of SISTEM includes a client-side applicationinstalled on a remote computer that may be referred to as the designatedlocal training PC. This PC manages the responses from the studentclickers and routes them to the host server that includes, at a minimum,a CPU. Web-based training is delivered over the Internet to the sitewhere it is needed. Client-side hardware requirements include PCsequipped with USB ports capable of supporting IR or RF data transfer andthe desired number of IR or RF clickers. The remote, client-sidetraining PCs are also equipped with monitors, TVs, or other peripheralhardware components capable of video display and/or projection.

SISTEM is capable of uploading to the Internet and recording all dataentered by users and collected from users at their training sites. TheSISTEM software transfers all training records to the web-based LearningManagement Center (LMC). The LMC imports user results and records, andmanages all training plans and each course as it is administered.Records are updated automatically as each trainee takes a course, andeach trainee's records are individually maintained for certification andcompliance verification.

Because a large and growing portion of the United States workforce isHispanic, the preferred embodiment of the present invention isEnglish/Spanish bilingual. SISTEM mimics colorful, fast-paced, andexciting media offerings such as game shows, MTV, and Sabado Gigante,the world's longest running music/comedy/interview/contest televisionvariety show, and one that particularly reaches out to the Hispanicpopulation. The Game section near the end of each SISTEM module leavesthe trainee with a positive impression of the training experience and areinforcement of the lessons learned. Tactile or kinetic exercisescomplete the experience and engage the trainee in the richest learningexperience possible. At employer discretion, prizes may be awarded towinners of the games at the end of training sessions.

A SISTEM session begins with an introductory video that exaggerates acommon workplace or life skills issue, and then encourages traineeparticipation with rhetorical questions that review the theme of thevideo and preview the lesson. After viewing a tutorial on the session'stargeted competencies, the trainees are asked to demonstrate competencyby answering related questions. All competency-based questions andanswers are monitored, and corrections are applied through feedbackloops. When an acceptable success rate is realized, all trainees play agame based on the training session content, and an exit video reinforcesthe rewards of understanding and applying the competencies learned inthe lesson.

The SISTEM training modules show, in an entertaining video, how aworkplace or life situation can be handled poorly and, throughsubsequent tutorials, how that situation could be handled correctly. Thevideo presents a visual metaphor for the issue to be taught in aparticular training module. SISTEM combines presentation withinteraction, in the form of rhetorical questions designed to engage andreinforce understanding. Example questions such as “How did the videoyou just watched make you feel?” and “Do you think that the man in thevideo was angry?” encourage trainees to participate by expressing theirfeelings. The questions are designed to reinforce the core contentthrough the use of visual images.

The competency questions are presented in a colorful, fast-paced gamethat allows the trainees to compete with each other and demonstratesubject matter knowledge. Scored questions demonstrate traineecompetency during and after presentation of the instructional material.Each question illustrates an instructional point that has just beenpresented. Each student must demonstrate 100 percent competency on thesequestions before they are allowed to progress to the game section. Whenany student answers a question incorrectly, he is given an opportunityto correct his answer. When a student is unable to demonstratecompetency after two attempts, his or her score is reported asincomplete, and the lesson continues. The trainee is required to repeatthe course, and the supervisor is advised to help the trainee understandthe mistakes and to provide one-on-one training as the trainee repeatsthe module.

FIG. 1 illustrates a SISTEM feedback and remediation loop 100. At Log-Onscreen 10, a facilitator or supervisor can access SISTEM. The Main Menuat 10 presents five choices to the facilitator: Course Selection,Administration, Social Services, Training Aids, and Quit.

At 11 and 12, the facilitator chooses a course and selects the traineeswho will take the course. The facilitator then distributes uniquelynumbered wireless clickers, records which clicker is associated withwhich trainee, and launches the course after the trainees choose Spanishor English. At 13 the Hostess Introduction describes the trainingsituation and shows the trainees what to expect in the lesson. Anintroduction video depicts an entertaining, possibly humorous,situation, followed by questions (14) that will engage the trainees. Ifall questions are not answered correctly by all trainees, the traineeswill be presented with tutorials of the relevant competencies and morequestions with which to demonstrate their competency (16). If more thanone training module is selected at the start of training, the trainingwill automatically advance to the next training module until allselected training modules have been successfully completed. This featurefacilitates the training of larger groups of trainees without having tore-register each trainee at the start of each training session.

If any trainee answers a question incorrectly, the entire class willparticipate in a feedback/remediation loop that restates the tutorial ina different manner and presents another question. If the trainee(s)answer correctly, the program continues. If the trainee(s) answer thequestion incorrectly, the second remedial tutorial is presented. Iffailure again occurs, an incomplete is recorded, and the lesson isresumed. The trainee(s) who missed the question(s) is then marked asincomplete and must retake the module.

Kinetic exercises, at user discretion, are initiated at 17. Theexercises can be as simple as deep-breathing for relaxation, or morecomplicated if lesson reinforcement is needed. For example, one optionalexercise is the creation of a household budget using fake money suppliedby the facilitator.

A module ends with a fast-paced, entertaining game in which the winneris declared based on the first to answer the most Yes/No or True/Falsequestions correctly. No score is reported in the game section, and thesession ends with a video that demonstrates how beneficial results cancome from real-life situations in which the participants haveassimilated the competencies taught in the training session. At 18, foreach successful trainee, completion of the training module is recordedin the SISTEM database.

FIG. 2 charts the SISTEM data flow and exchange 200. The LMC 99 is thesubscriber database, and houses, among other features, the student table20, the training activity table 21, and the student validation table 22.These three tables interact directly with the SISTEM application.Updates to the student table and compilations of student demographicinformation are transmitted to the SISTEM application via a secureInternet communication link, resulting in either the addition ordeletion of student names from the SISTEM enrollment menu. The LMChouses a documented record of competency for all training coursesattempted by an individual.

Subscribers may access the LMC via portal 32. With authorized accessthey may add and delete trainee names, validate trainees, track atrainee's training activity, create training courses, and createreports. The LMC features include the subscriber database, studentdemographic information, training logs, and new student validationqueue. Also residing in the LMC are course creation and reportgeneration functions.

Before training sessions begin, the LMC and subscriber databases aresynchronized at 23. Here, course listings are updated, new traineesadded, and inactive trainees deleted. In the synchronization process,trainees or students are enrolled in appropriate courses at 24, 25, and26. SISTEM software defines new students at 27 and 28, and a facilitatorthen conducts a training session at 29. The training activity, itsresults, and information about any new trainees are uploaded to therecords kept in the LMC at 30 and 31.

When training is conducted, the training results for each trainee andbasic registration information for students not listed on the enrollmentmenu are automatically and securely transmitted to the LMC forprocessing. This process is contingent upon an active Internetconnection having been detected by SISTEM. If an Internet connection istemporarily unavailable, data will be held locally in a queue untilconnectivity has been established.

All reports and records are available from the LMC, but only throughpassword-protected access. No records can be altered by any employee,trainee, or supervisor. Only the Director with authority over the LMCcan make such alterations.

SISTEM has two different modes, Administration and Instruction. TheAdministration Mode has functional and navigation capabilities that arenot available in the Instruction Mode. The Instruction Mode has a linearpath navigation capability that does not allow a return to previouspages or the skipping of sections. The Administration Mode offers thefreedom to navigate with a mouse and keyboard, and allows thefacilitator to synchronize databases, enable and disable rhetoricalquestions, enable and disable games, change administrator passwords, andsend email.

SISTEM contains a general Help feature that provides information aboutSISTEM functions, operation, and the software's navigation icons. SISTEMalso includes a link to Social Services information that permits afacilitator to access contacts and basic social support information forvarious recurring employee issues such as child care, transportation,and finances. The social services link is available, even when there isnot a training session active, to enable all employees access to socialsupport services.

The SISTEM video window varies in size relative to the content of anyparticular training module. A video does not take over the entireviewing screen; instead, it leaves room for trainee instructions andresponses. Stimulating and entertaining video windows animate into andout of the viewing screen when appropriate.

Upon startup, SISTEM is the only software application visible to theviewer. Windows remains in the background, and any keyboard or on-screenaccess is denied. This minimizes trainee distraction during a trainingsession. The main menu appears immediately after the startup sequenceand log-on. The Main Menu offers English or Spanish language, courseselection, enrollment, and course launch.

All training records are accessed through a clean and non-threateninginterface. The records can be accessed via a variety of categoricalsorts including: Trainee Name, Completion Status by Course, CompletionStatus by Student, and Overall Progress Report.

SISTEM architecture is modular, and each course is based on the samepedagogical template. The templates keep the art, video, and audio filesin folders accessible only to the LMC Director. The LMC Director maymodify or update SISTEM application one file at a time or en masse viaInternet connectivity.

The minimum hardware requirements for implementation of the presentinvention in the Windows environment are the following:

-   -   Dell Optiplex SX280 PC and E171FP 17″ Flat Panel Monitor (or        comparable)    -   Pentium 4 Processor at 2.2 GHz    -   2 GB Hard Drive    -   512 MB Memory    -   Multimedia Quality Graphics Card    -   10/100 Ethernet Network Card and/or 56 Kbs modem    -   56 Kbs Internal Modem    -   Windows XP Home operating system    -   Apple QuickTime Viewer, Version 6.5.2    -   Remote Control Device such as those from DM Sourcing

A remote (client) computer is equipped with an external IR receiver orRF transmitter/receiver and a series of remote control transmitters, allof which are uniquely numbered and feature multiple buttons. Thee-learning host is configured to permit testing that is capable ofaccepting a number of possibly different answers from each clicker. Theclient computer requires a helper application such as Active-X controlfor collection and transmission to the web-based training applicationeach clicker response selected by each member of the group of remotetrainees. Successful registration of a response and/or correct andincorrect responses can be displayed if desired.

Web-based SISTEM requires that a small client side application beinstalled on the designated local training PC. This application managesthe interactive responses from the trainee clickers to the IR or RFreceiver and to the host server. Client side hardware requirementsconsist of USB supported PCs for an IR/RF receiver and the desirednumber of clickers. The only proprietary software required at a trainingsite to run web-based SISTEM is a small client application to manage theinteraction between the IR or RF receiver and the clickers and totransmit those responses to the web-based SISTEM application.

FIG. 3 depicts three hardware embodiments of the present invention.Web-based SISTEM training is delivered over an Internet connection toone or a plurality of trainees simultaneously, to one or multipledistributed sites, and to multiple groups of trainees simultaneously,with equal ease. SISTEM client software may be installed on a PC 300that is equipped with a serial or USB IR or RF receiver 98 and isconnected to a host server LMC. One or a plurality of trainees interactswith PC 300 via individual clickers. Core SISTEM software may also beinstalled on the same or a similar PC 400 equipped with an IR or RFreceiver 98 supporting multiple clickers. Training courses may then belicensed and downloaded to the PC 300. Also, an all-in-one portablehardware device 500 with integrated IR or RF receiver, hard drive, andSISTEM software may be connected via a USB or wireless port in a PC thatsupports video.

SISTEM is capable of integration with known programs for managinglearning experiences. For example, COURSE INSITE can be integrated withSISTEM for synchronized bi-directional data flow. One embodiment of thepresent invention incorporates the commonly understood concept of Justin Time Training™. All features of the SISTEM training system can bedelivered on demand at the point of need so that critical training canbe accomplished immediately when and where it is needed.

Another embodiment of the present invention integrates the SISTEMtraining system into specific pieces of equipment. For example, amonitor and keyboard or touch screen built into an oven, meat slicer, orwalk-in cooler could deliver on demand SISTEM training and maintenancetutorials tailored specifically for that particular equipment.Interactive signage on equipment or in or close to various work areascould also deliver emergency instructions.

Another embodiment of the present invention uses the same conceptsdescribed above, but targets the military. Armed forces face many of thesame trainee problems that are faced by civilian industries, plus someunique problems such as the necessity for safe operation of weapons,possibly while under fire. All of the SISTEM training concepts,including Just in Time Training and equipment-integrated training can besuccessfully applied to military situations.

It will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the relevant arthaving the benefit of this disclosure that the present inventionprovides a training system that offers web-based distribution,centralized control of pedagogy consistency, and efficient andeconomical resource utilization via group oriented training in which aplurality of trainees can be trained without the overhead of providingeach trainee with an individual PC. It is understood that the forms ofthe invention shown and described in the detailed description and thedrawings are to be taken merely as presently preferred examples and thatthe invention is limited only by the language of the claims. While thepresent invention has been described in terms of one preferredembodiment and a few variations thereof, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that form and detail modifications may be made tothose embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A system for providing interactive training, said systemcomprising: a computer; a video display in communication with saidcomputer; a receiver in communication with said computer; a plurality ofwireless handheld one-way transmitters for communicating with saidreceiver, each of said plurality of wireless handheld one-waytransmitters being operable by a respective one of a group of trainees;and wherein each wireless handheld one-way transmitter has anidentification code unique from the other wireless handheld one-waytransmitters; wherein said computer includes a computer programcomprising:a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to saidcomputer, the medium having an executable computer program storedthereon, wherein the computer program includes:computer program code forpresenting in an audio/video format a portrayal of a set ofcircumstances designed to convey a message; computer program code forpresenting one or more interactive questions relating to said set ofcircumstances in said audio/video format; computer program code forinteractively accepting from each wireless handheld one-way transmittera first response to said one or more questions, said first responsecomprising an answer; computer program code for detecting and discardingcorrupt answers from the plurality of wireless handheld one-waytransmitters; computer program code for determining a group success rateby comparing said first responses to a predetermined template; andcomputer program code for determining whether said group success rate isless than a desired group success rate; wherein, upon a determinationthat said group success rate is less than a desired group success rate,computer program code for: (i) presenting additional tutorials to saidentire group of trainees simultaneously, (ii) presenting one or moreadditional interactive questions relating to said additional tutorialsto said entire group of trainees simultaneously, (iii) interactivelyaccepting from each wireless handheld one-way transmitter an additionalresponse to said one or more additional interactive questions, and (iv)determining a new group success rate by comparing said additionalresponses to a predetermined template associated with the additionalresponses; and computer program code for repeatedly performing steps(i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) until the new group success rate achieves atleast the desired success rate.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein saidcomputer is configured for simultaneous wireless communication with theplurality of wireless handheld one-way transmitters.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said computer program further comprises computer programcode for presenting an interactive competitive game on said videodisplay.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said video display and saidreceiver are located at one or more sites remote from said computer. 5.The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of wireless handheldone-way transmitters comprises at least five handheld one-waytransmitters.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said receiver is coupledwith said computer via the Internet for facilitating communicationbetween said receiver and said computer.
 7. The system of claim 1wherein said computer and said video display are capable of presentingin an audio/video format a portrayal of a set of circumstances.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7 wherein said computer and said video display arecapable of presenting one or more interactive questions relating to saidset of circumstances in said audio/video format.
 9. The system of claim8 wherein said computer program further comprises computer program codefor interactively accepting from each wireless handheld one-waytransmitter a first response to said questions.
 10. The system of claim9 wherein said computer program further comprises computer program codefor generating a comparison between said first response and apredetermined template.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said computerprogram further comprises computer program code for interactivelyaccepting from each wireless handheld one-way transmitter a secondresponse.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said computer programfurther comprises computer program code for repeatedly, for apredetermined number of times, comparing said first and second responsesfrom said trainee to said predetermined template until a said responsematches said template, said computer program at the conclusion of saidpredetermined number of comparisons further comprising computer programcode for labeling said responses as final responses.
 13. The system ofclaim 12 wherein said computer program further comprises computerprogram code for storing said final responses so as to maintain datarelated to each wireless handheld one-way transmitter.
 14. The system ofclaim 10 wherein said desired group success rate means that no traineeanswers a question incorrectly.
 15. A method for providing interactivetraining, said method comprising steps, performed by a computer coupledto a video display and a receiver, of: presenting in an audio/videoformat a portrayal of a set of circumstances designed to convey amessage; presenting one or more interactive questions relating to saidset of circumstances in said audio/video format; interactively acceptingfrom each of a plurality of wireless handheld one-way transmitters afirst response to said one or more questions, said first responsecomprising an answer, each of said wireless handheld one-waytransmitters being configured for communicating with said receiver andfurther having an identification code unique from the other wirelesshandheld one-way transmitters, each of said plurality of wirelesshandheld one-way transmitters further being operable by a respective oneof a group of trainees; detecting and discarding corrupt answers fromthe plurality of wireless handheld one-way transmitters; determining agroup success rate by comparing said first responses to a predeterminedtemplate; determining whether said group success rate is less than adesired group success rate; wherein, upon a determination that saidgroup success rate is less than a desired group success rate: (i)presenting additional tutorials to said entire group of traineessimultaneously, (ii) presenting one or more additional interactivequestions relating to said additional tutorials to said entire group oftrainees simultaneously, (iii) interactively accepting from eachwireless handheld one-way transmitter an additional response to said oneor more additional interactive questions, and (iv) determining a newgroup success rate by comparing said additional responses to apredetermined template associated with the additional responses;repeatedly performing steps (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) until the newgroup success rate achieves at least the desired success rate.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein said computer is configured for simultaneouswireless communication with the plurality of wireless handheld one-waytransmitters.
 17. The method of claim 15 a step performed by thecomputer of presenting an interactive competitive game on said videodisplay.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said video display and saidreceiver are located at one or more sites remote from said computer. 19.The method of claim 15 wherein said plurality of wireless handheldone-way transmitters comprises at least five handheld one-waytransmitters.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein said receiver iscoupled with said computer via the Internet for facilitatingcommunication between said receiver and said computer.
 21. The method ofclaim 15 wherein said desired group success rate means that no traineeanswers a question incorrectly.
 22. A system for providing interactivetraining, said system comprising: a computer; a video display incommunication with said computer; a receiver in communication with saidcomputer; a plurality of wireless handheld one-way transmitters forcommunicating with said receiver, each of said plurality of wirelesshandheld one-way transmitters being operable by a respective one of agroup of trainees; and wherein each wireless handheld one-waytransmitter has an identification code unique from the other wirelesshandheld one-way transmitters; wherein said computer includes a computerprogram comprising:a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled tosaid computer, the medium having an executable computer program storedthereon, wherein the computer program includes:computer program code forpresenting in an audio/video format a portrayal of a set ofcircumstances designed to convey a message; computer program code forpresenting one or more interactive questions relating to said set ofcircumstances in said audio/video format; computer program code forinteractively accepting from each wireless handheld one-way transmittera first response to said one or more questions, said first responsecomprising an answer; computer program code for detecting and discardingcorrupt answers from the plurality of wireless handheld one-waytransmitters; computer program code for determining a group success rateby comparing said first responses to a predetermined template; andcomputer program code for determining whether said group success rate isless than a desired group success rate; upon a determination that saidgroup success rate is less than a desired group success rate, computerprogram code for: (i) presenting additional tutorials to said entiregroup of trainees simultaneously, (ii) presenting one or more additionalinteractive questions relating to said additional tutorials to saidentire group of trainees simultaneously, (iii) interactively acceptingfrom each wireless handheld one-way transmitter an additional responseto said one or more additional interactive questions, and (iv)determining, by comparing said additional responses to a predeterminedtemplate associated with the additional responses, whether at least oneof said first responses from all of said wireless handheld one-waytransmitters is incorrect; and computer program code for repeating steps(i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) until it is determined that none of saidfirst responses from all of said wireless handheld one-way transmittersis incorrect.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein said desired groupsuccess rate means that no trainee answers a question incorrectly.